Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63J—AUXILIARIES ON VESSELS
  • B63J99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
  • B63H20/007—Trolling propulsion units
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B73/00—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices
  • E05B73/007—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof
  • E05B73/0076—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof outboard motors or propellers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B17/00—Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
  • B63B2017/0009—Methods or devices specially adapted for preventing theft, or unauthorized use of vessels, or parts or accessories thereof, other than by using locks
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T70/00—Locks
  • Y10T70/50—Special application
  • Y10T70/5611—For control and machine elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to locks and to other security devices that use locks and locking mechanisms. More specifically, it relates to an assembly that is used to secure a trolling motor to the transom of a boat. It also relates to such a trolling motor lock assembly that is unitary in construction such that the assembly is easy to use and eliminates the risk of loss of component parts.
• Trolling motors are the smaller cousin to the boat outboard motor and are used in situations where a smaller powered motor is needed to achieve more incremental and much quieter movement of the boat during fishing and the like. Like outboard motors, the use of a trolling motor typically requires that the motor be attached to the transom, or rear wall, of the boat.
• trolling motors often utilize a U-shaped frame that hangs on the transom and is then fixedly secured to the transom by a pair of clamping screws that are part of the frame.
• the clamps include head or handle portions that can be rotated by hand to tighten the clamps and secure the trolling motor to the transom.
• these clamps can be inadvertently bumped or rotated to the point that the trolling motor is not completely secured to the transom.
• Another unfortunate reality concerning trolling motors is that the motors are vulnerable to theft since they are relatively small and light-weight and, as such, can be quickly and easily detached from the boat.
• Hue presei ⁇ t irwfemtion provides such an assembly that, when used properly, helps to prevent inadvertent detachment or intentional theft of the trolling motor at all times during which the assembly is used.
• the present invention provides for a unique locking assembly having a number of components that form such a unitary device.
• the assembly includes a longitudinally extending base member that is attached via a hinge to a longitudinally extending cover member.
• the base member and the cover member when rotated such that the cover member engages the base member, are functionally adapted to overlay the head portion of the clamping screws of the motor supports of the trolling motor thereby preventing rotation of them.
• the base member and the cover member each have a plurality of cooperating cut-outs defined in adjacent side-walls that allow the shaft of each of the clamping screws to protrude through the cut-outs. In that way, the base member and the cover member may be "clamped" down over the head portions of the clamping screws.
• the base member and the cover member also include a cooperating catch and cylinder lock with a rotatable latch, respectively, whereby the base member and the cover member may be locked together to secure the head portions of the clamping screws between them.
• FIG. 1 is a front, top and left side perspective view of the trolling motor lock assembly of the present invention as it is used with a trolling motor that is mounted to a boat, the assembly shown in the attached or secured position.
• Fig. 2 is a front, top and left side perspective view of the trolling motor lock assembly of the present invention as it is used with a trolling motor that is mounted to a boat, the assembly shown in the detached or removed position.
• Fig. 3 is an enlarged front, top and left side perspective view of the lock assembly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and showing the assembly as it would be in the "locked” or “closed” position.
• Fig. 4 is an enlarged rear, bottom and left side perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 3.
• Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear, top and left side perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and showing the assembly in the "unlocked” or “open” position.
• Fig. 6 is an exploded rear, bottom and left side perspective view of the assembly of the present invention.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the trolling motor lock assembly, generally identified 10, that is constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• An outboard motor is illustrated in phantom view in both Figs. 1 and 2 to demonstrate how a trolling motor 4 might be used in conjunction with it. Such is not, however, required and is in no way a limitation of the present invention.
• the trolling motor lock assembly 10 is shown as it would be attached to the head portions 8 of clamping screws 18 of the motor supports of the trolling motor 4 when the trolling motor 4 is secured to the transom 12 of a boat 2. See also Fig. 2 which illustrates the assembly 10 as it would appear when removed from the head portions 8 of the clamping screws 18. It is to be understood that the precise type, of boat 2 or trolling motor 4 to which the assembly 10 of the present invention applies is, not a limitation of this invention. Nor is the precise type of head portion 8 of the damping screws 18 a limitation of the present invention. For example, the head portions 8 could be of the type that are generally lever shaped, as shown in Fig. 2.
• each head portion 8 rotates about a central axis and has a "lever" portion that extends outwardly from that central axis to provide a force moment or torque to the head portion 8 for tightening or un-tightening the clamping screws 18 relative to the motor supports 6, which are understood to include a drive screw threaded portion and some sort of "seat” or pad (not shown).
• Rotation of the head portion 8 rotates the clamping screw ,18 in a direction that drives the seat or pad towards or away from the transom 12 such that the head portion 8 effectively "clamps" the trolling motor 4 to the transom 12.
• the important aspect of the assembly 10 is that it prevents access to the head portion 8 of the clamping screws 18 to prevent their rotation when the assembly 10 is properly secured and locked in place.
• FIG. 3 an enlarged rear view of the assembly 10 of the present invention is illustrated.
• This view illustrates the assembly 10 shown as it would be when detached from the boat 2 and as it would be when in the "closed” or “locked” position.
• Fig. 4 illustrates the assembly 10 as it would be when simply flipped upside down from its up-right position shown in Fig. 3.
• the assembly 10 includes a longitudinally-extending and rectangular-profiled cover member 20 and a similarly shaped, but slightly smaller, base member 40.
• base member 40 When placed together as shown in pigs. 3 and: 4, -tte ⁇ ov-fe* member 20 and the base member 40 form a generally rectangular box-like structure.
• the assembly 10 includes a base member 40 and a cover member 20 that are capable of forming a hollow structure that functions in the intended fashion as is disclosed and described herein.
• the cover member 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. Extending between the first end 22 and the second end 24 of the cover member 20 is a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar top face 21 , a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar front face 23, and a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar back face 25.
• a substantially-planar side or end face 27 extends downwardly at a generally right angle from the top face 21 at the second end 24 of the cover member 20.
• the base member 40 of the assembly 10 similarly includes a first end 42 and a second end 44. Extending between the first end 42 and the second end 44 of the base member 40 is a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar bottom face 41 , a longitudinally- extending and substantially-planar front face 43, and a longitudinally-extending and substantially-planar back face 45.
• the base member 40 also includes a pair of opposing and substantially-planar side faces 47, 49, the side faces 47, 49 extending upwardly at a generally right angle from the bottom face 41 of the base member 40.
• planar back face 25 of the cover member 20 Defined within the planar back face 25 of the cover member 20 are a number of downwardly-directed and generally arcuate-shaped cut-outs, 31 , 33, 35. Similarly, a number of upwardly-directed and generally arcuate-shaped cut-outs 51 , 53, 55 are defined within the planar back face 45 of the base member 40. It is to be understood, that the exact shape of the cut-outs 31 , 33, 35, 51 , 53, 55 is not a limitation of the present invention.
• the arcuate shape is, however, preferred since it most closely resembles the round profile of the threaded shaft of the clamping screws 18 that are intended to pass through the downwardly-directed cut-outs 31 , 33, 35 of the cover member 20 and through the upwardly-directed cut-outs 51 , 53, 55 of the base member 40 when the cover member 20 overlays the base member 40, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
• the first cut-out 31 of the cover member 20 is generally aligned with the first cut-out 51 of the base member 40, and so on, to form functionally cooperating openings for access to the interior of the assembly 10.
• the spacing between adjacent cut-outs 31, 33, 35, 51 , 53, 55 may be varied in dimension to accommodate el Efferent ⁇ paoihg ⁇ between clamping screws 18 that might be available by different manufacturers of trolling motors 4 to which the assembly 10 may be applied. This provides added versatility to use of the assembly 10.
• the top face 21 of the cover member 20 includes an aperture 32 defined within it.
• This aperture 32 is functionally adapted to receive a portion of a lock sub-assembly, generally identified 60, within it.
• the bottom face 41 of the base member 40 includes an aperture 52 defined within it, this aperture 52 also being functionally adapted to receive a portion of the lock sub-assembly 60 within it.
• the base member 40 is hingedly attached to the cover member 20.
• the front face 23 of the cover member 20 includes an aperture 34 and the back face 25 of the cover member 20 includes an aperture 36. See Fig. 6.
• front face 43 of the base member 40 includes an aperture 54 and the back face 45 of the base member 40 includes an aperture (not shown).
• the apertures 34, 36, 54 are co-linear.
• a pin 70 is insertable through the apertures 34, 36, 54.
• the pin 70 includes a head portion 72 and an end portion 74, the end portion 74 being adapted to receive a washer 76 and then being flared following assembly to prevent removal of the pin 70.
• the lock sub-assembly 60 shown in an exploded view, includes a lock cylinder 62 that is slidingly receivable within an aperture 63 defined within a lock receiver 64. It is to be understood that the lock cylinder receiver 64 is secured to or otherwise attached to the top face 21 of the cover member 20. It is also to be understood that the aperture 63 defined within the lock cylinder receiver 64 extends fully through the top face 21 of the cover member 20 as well. In this fashion, the lock cylinder 62 is able to pass through and extend through the top face 21 of the cover member 20 as well.
• the lock cylinder 62 includes a key receiving e ⁇ d 61.
• the key receiving end 61 further includes a cap assembly 71 having a ring 73 and a cap 75.
• the ring 73 of the cap assembly 71 is receivable within the ring ⁇ receiving groove 77 that is defined within the lock cylinder 64.
• the bottom most portion of the lock cylinder 62 includes a latch 65, the latch 65 including opposing and outwardly-extending latch shoulders 66. It is to be understood that a single latch shoulder 66 would still allow the latch 65 to function as intended.
• the bottom face 41 of the base member 40 includes a latch receiver 67 that is secured to or otherwise attached to it as well.
• the latch receiver 67 of the lock sub- assembly 60 has a slot 68 that is defined within it.
• the slot 68 includes opposing and 19 as well, the , shoulders _69 of the latch receiver 67 being functionally engageable with the shoulders 66 of the latch 65, such engagement preventing upward movement of the lock cylinder 62 and the cover member 20 relative to the latch receiver 67 and the base member 40 when the assembly 10 is used as intended.
• a single shoulder 69 defined within the slot 68 of the latch receiver 67 would allow the latch receiver 67 to function as intended, the single shoulder 69 being functionally engageable with one of the latch shoulders 66 of the latch 65.
• the base member 40 and the cover member 20 are, in the preferred embodiment, each made of a single piece of stamped or bent sheet metal material. However, such is not a limitation of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the interior area of the assembly 10, the portion between the base member 40 and the cover member 20 when those members are in the "closed” of “locked” position, may include a resilient cushioning material such as foam rubber to prevent movement of the assembly 10 about the head portions 8 of the clamping screws and to prevent abrasion of those parts. Such is not, however, a limitation of the present invention. , ;
• the user positions the unitary trolling motor lock assembly 10 of the present invention immediately below the head portions 8 of the clamping screws 18.
• the assembly 10 would be in an L-shaped configuration with the base member 40 being generally horizontal and the cover member 20 being generally vertical, those two members 20, 40 always being connected to one another by virtue of the pin 70.
• the assembly 10 could be in an L-shaped configuration with the base member 40 being generally vertical, and the cover member 20 being generally horizontal. Either presentation is acceptable and may be chosen by the user.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)
• Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=37498733

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (10)

Family Cites Families (23)

• 2005
  • 2005-06-02 WO PCT/US2005/019215 patent/WO2006132609A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-06-02 JP JP2008514608A patent/JP2008545906A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-06-02 AU AU2005332672A patent/AU2005332672A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-02 CA CA002611057A patent/CA2611057A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-02 EP EP05783900A patent/EP1902188A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-06-02 US US11/916,286 patent/US20100186466A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-02 CN CNA2005800512047A patent/CN101287885A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-06-02 MX MX2007015233A patent/MX2007015233A/es not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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